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| | Ayurveda
- Concept and Principles
The Body Matrix Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the
union of body, senses, mind and soul. The living man is a conglomeration of three
humours (Vata, Pitta &Kapha), seven basic tissues (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi,
Majja & Shukra) and the waste products of the body such as faeces, urine and sweat.
Thus the total body matrix comprises of the humours, the tissues and the waste
products of the body. The growth and decay of this body matrix and its constituents
revolve around food which gets processed into humours, tissues and wastes. Ingestion,
digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food have an interplay in
health and disease which are significantly affected by psychological mechanisms
as well as by bio- fire(Agni). Panchamahabhutas According
to Ayurveda all objects in the universe including human body are composed of five
basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) namely, earth, water, fire, air and vacuum(ether).
There is a balanced condensation of these elements in different proportions to
suit the needs and requirements of different structures and functions of the body
matrix and its parts. The growth and development of the body matrix depends on
its nutrition, i.e. on food. The food, in turn, is composed of the above five
elements, which replenish or nourish the like elements of the body after the action
of bio-fire (Agni). The tissues of the body are the structural whereas humours
are physiological entities, derived from different combinations and permutations
of Panchamahabhutas. Health and Sickness Health
or sickness depends on the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total
body matrix including the balance between its different constituents. Both the
intrinsic and extrinsic factors can cause disturbance in the natural equilibrium
giving rise to disease. This loss of equilibrium can happen by dietary indiscrimination,
undesirable habits and non-observance of rules of healthy living. Seasonal abnormalities,
improper exercise or erratic application of sense organs and incompatible actions
of the body and mind can also result in creating disturbance of the existing normal
balance. The treatment consists of restoring the balance of disturbed body-mind
matrix through regulating diet, correcting life-routine and behaviour, administration
of drugs and resorting to preventive Panchkarma and Rasayana therapy.
Diagnosis In Ayuveda diagnosis is always done of the patient
as a whole. The physician takes a careful note of the patient's internal physiological
characteristics and mental disposition. He also studies such other factors as
the affected bodily tissues, humours, the site at which the disease is located,
patient's resistance and vitality, his daily routine, dietary habits, the gravity
of clinical conditions, condition of digestion and details of personal, social,
economic and environmental situation of the patient. The diagnosis also involves
the following examinations: " General physical examination " Pulse
examination " Urine examination " Examination of the faces " Examination
of tongue and eyes " Examination of skin and ear including tactile and auditory
functions. Treatment The basic therapeutic approach
is, 'that alone is the right treatment which makes for health and he alone is
the best doctor who frees one from disease'. This sums up the principal objectives
of Ayurveda, i.e. maintenance and promotion of health, prevention of disease and
cure of sickness. Treatment of the disease consists in avoiding causative
factors responsible for disequilibrium of the body matrix or of any of its constituent
parts through the use of Panchkarma procedures, medicines, suitable diet, activity
and regimen for restoring the balance and strengthening the body mechanisms to
prevent or minimize future occurrence of the disease. Normally treatment
measures involve use of medicines, specific diet and prescribed activity routine.
Use of these three measures is done in two ways. In one approach of treatment
the three measures antagonize the disease by counteracting the etiological factors
and various manifestations of the disease. In the second approach the same three
measures of medicine, diet and activity are targeted to exert effects similar
to the etiological factors and manifestations of the disease process. These two
types of therapeutic approaches are respectively known as Vipreeta and Vipreetarthkari
treatments. For successful administration of a treatment four things
are essential. These are: " The physician " The medicaments
" The nursing personnel " The patient The physician comes first
in order of importance. He must possess technical skill, scientific knowledge,
purity and human understanding. The physician should use his knowledge with humility,
wisdom and in the service of humanity. Next in importance comes food and drugs.
These are supposed to be of high quality, wide application, grown and prepared
following approved procedures and should be available adequately. The third component
of every successful treatment is the role of nursing personnel who should have
good knowledge of nursing, must know the skills of their art and be affectionate,
sympathetic, intelligent, neat & clean and resourceful. The fourth component is
the patient himself who should be cooperative and obedient to follow instructions
of the physician, able to describe ailments and ready to provide all that may
be needed for treatment. Ayurvedic Therapies in India
Ayurveda, the ancient traditional method of treatment involving combinations
of herbal medicines, physical massages and various other forms of therapy, offers
excellent remedies for many illnesses. Ayurvedic Therapies can be used to treat
ailments like Anxiety, Arthralgia, Asthma, Back pain, Diabetes, Disc Prolapse,
Diseases of the eye, Dislocation, Dystonia, Hemiplegia, Hypertension, Impotence,
Infertility, Miscarriage, Motor diseases, Multiple Sclerosis, Obesity, Peptic
Ulcer, Peripheral Neuritis, Psoriasis and other skin diseases, Rheumatic Joint
pains, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc. Apart from treatment for these diseases it also
offers therapy that rejuvenates the body and mind from the ills arising out of
the frictions of everyday life. General Ayurvedic Therapies offered
in India Uzhichil This is a special Kerala type
of massage done by two persons using medicated warm oils. Improves blood circulation,
strengthens muscles and joints, provides good sleep, improves the skin texture
and sheen and nourishes the nerves. This treatment is not only for people who
are ailing, but for anyone who wants to rejuvenate the entire system.
Elakizhi This is a process of massaging the body with heated
cloth bag filled with fried medicinal leaves like ricinus, calatropis, tamarind
and more. This massage is normally done by three people. It helps in stimulating
thenerves and helps in reducing pain. This is done in cases of Rheumatism, arthritis,
paralysis, sciatica, spondylosis and nervous disorders. Navarakizhi
The body is massaged with linen bags filled with cooked Navara rice,
frequently warming it in a mixture ofdecoction and milk. This massage is normally
done by three people. It is acardinal treatment for diseases affecting the nervous
system. Pain, rheumatism, emaciation of limbs, stroke, hypertension, sciatica,
spondylosis etc. are the indications. Podikizhi This
is a special type of massage done with cloth bags filled with herbal powder, which
will be warmed frequently. This massage is normally done by three people. This
is massage has been seen to be very effective for inflammatory joint problems
and primary stages of hemiplegia. Udvarthanam This
is the process of massaging the body with herbal powders in a reverse order. The
massage is done from the bottom up. The treatment is mainly for obesity, cholesterol
and certain rheumatic complaints. Thalapothichil Under
this procedure, the head is covered with Amla (Indian gooseberry) paste prepared
in buttermilk or some decoctions suitable for the condition. Then, the head is
covered with a banana leaf. This procedure has been seen to be very effective
for dealing with stress, anxiety, sinusitis, chronic headache, sleep disorders
and hair loss. Dhanyamladhara This procedure will
be done by four people using special pots to pour a warm acidic herbal fluid (Dhanyamlam)
all over patient's body. Helps to reduce inflammation and pain in many cases and
is a method of sweating without using oils. This is done for people with cases
of arthritis, stroke, rheumatism etc. Pizhichil This
is also done using special pots, pouring warm medicated oil all over the body
along with gentle massage by two people and three assisting them in collecting
and warming the oil. This procedure has been seen to be very helpful in many types
of multi joint problems and hemiplegia. It is strictly done for specific illnesses.
Sirodhara Sirodhara means pouring of a liquid on the
forehead in a continuous stream. According to the type of liquid used, Sirodhara
can be classified into three types: 1. Thailadhara - Sirodara with medicated
oil. 2. Thakradhara - Sirodhara with medicated buttermilk. 3. Ksheeradhara
- Sirodhara with medicated milk. According to the liquid used, the effect
will be different. Thailadhara is good for various types of nervous disorders
like hemiplegia, facial palsy etc. Thakaradhara is good for various skin diseases,
sleeplessness, stress and insanity. And Ksheeradhara is good for cooling the head,
which helps immensely for people suffering from insomnia. Sirovasthy
Under this, warm oils are kept on the head inside a leather cap for
a long duration which depends on case to case. This is highly effective in cases
of facial paralysis, headaches, spondylosis, hemiplegia etc. Snehapanam
This involves internal administration of medicated ghee in daily increasing
doses and strict restrictions on diet and activities. This is the primary preparation
for all the panchakarmas. This is an internal Shehana (Oleation) procedure. It
is helpful in many cases like allergic asthma, psoriasis, eczema, low immunity,
hyper acidity, peptic ulcer, digestive disorders and in all kinds of mental illnesses.
Kadeevasthy A particular type of oil is kept over
the affected part (usually the lower back) inside a boundary made of some herbal
pastes. This is particularly effective in all kinds of back pains and spinal disorders.
The same procedure when done on the chest is called Urovasthy. Thalam
Oils or pastes are applied on the middle of the head and kept for one
hour. This has been seen to be helpful in alleviating insomnia, high blood pressure,
stress and vatha conditions. Lepanam Herbal pastes
are applied over the affected parts. This is usually done to reduce swelling,
pain or inflammation of the joints. And this is also used to treat some skin diseases.
Pichu Cotton pieces soaked in warm medicated oils
are applied on the affected parts. This cotton will be soaked with warm oil frequently.
This is very effective in relieving pain for muscles and joints. This is also
performed on the head for some types of headaches and problems of sensory organs.
Avagaham After some oil applications, the patient
will be seated in a tub full of hot herbal decoction suitable for patient's condition.
For the diseases of spinal cord, hip and lower back. This is very helpful for
gynecological conditions. Upanaham A concoction of
herbal pastes and some acidic liquids will be applied on the affected parts. This
will be covered with leaves of calotropis, ricinus etc. and a cotton cloth on
the top. This will be retained in place for at least 12 hours. This is highly
effective for inflammatory joint pains and helps in reducing stiffness of joints
and improves mobility of joints. Nethra Tharpanam
Well melted and strained medicated ghee will be collected in a ridge made around
the eyes with black gram paste. This is very effective for refractive errors and
degenerative diseases of the eyes. Putapakam Herbal
juice mixed with goat's milk is collected around the eyes similarly as in Nethra
Tharpanam. This helps in relieving tiredness of the eyes helps in clearing the
vision. Nethradhara This is an eye wash with special
herbal decoctions, done by two persons. This has been seen to be very effective
for eye infections and helps in refreshing the eyes. Aschyothanam
This is nothing but application of eye drops. This has been found to
be helpful in conditions like various eye infections, cataract etc.
Mukhalepam A herbal powder is mixed with cow's milk and applied
on the face. It is kept for one hour and then washed. This is a herbal face pack.
This helps to remove wrinkles and black marks, improve the skin tone and imparts
a special glow to the face. The powder is a special of the Rajah Ayurvedic hospitals
under which Rajah Islands falls. Ksheeradhoomam Under
this, the patients face and neck is steamed with medicated milk. This is very
effective in treating facial paralysis and diseases of the sensory organs.
Panchakarma Treatments Vamanam This is
medically induced vomiting. This is the cleansing process for the upper respiratory
tract and upper digestive tract. Effective in Kapha rogas and some skin diseases
like leukoderma. Virechanam This is a medically induced
purgation which cleanses the lower digestive tract. Almost all types of skin diseases
and chronic rheumatic problems will be relieved by this. Nasyam
It involves the administration of medicines through the nose in the
form of drops or powders. It is one of the Panchakarmas. Highly effective for
all kinds of headaches, paralysis, depression, stress, pain around the neck and
shoulders, eye diseases etc. Sneha Vasthy Medicated
oil mixed with some herbal paste and salt, is administered through the anus. The
quantity of material will be decided according to the strength of the patient
and disease. One with the lowest dose of oil is called Mathra Vasthy. This is
beneficial in chronic nervous disorders, joint problems and skin diseases.
Kashaya Vasthy This is enema done with a mixture of honey,
salt, herbal paste, herbal decoction and medicated oils. This will be preceded
by one or two rounds of Sneha Vasthy according to the condition of the patient.
Combination of Sneha and Kashaya vasthys are helpful in some chronic rheumatic
problems. This is very effective for Urinary stones, nervous disorders and in
some gynecological problems. | | |
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